You want to buy a Viagra prescription online, but what is a generic Viagra prescription? How do you know if what you’re buying is what you need? Let’s dive into the differences between rebadged and original versions so that you can have a better understanding of what you’re buying and why.
Generic Versus Brand Name
If you’ve been paying attention to the news, you may have heard that Viagra has been linked to some pretty serious side effects. The drug has been around for more than 40 years and was originally developed to treat high blood pressure. Since then, it’s become one of the most popular drugs in the world. But it’s not all good news. Patients taking Viagra have been known to have developed valvular heart disease. Other less serious side effects include headaches and insomnia. Because of this, some patients have complained that generic versions of Viagra are just as harmful as the brand name drug.
That’s why it’s important to know the differences between branded and generic versions of a drug. They are not always created equal. One of the major differences is how the drugs are manufactured. Most importantly, generic versions of Viagra contain the same active ingredient as the brand name drug, but they are typically manufactured to the same strict pharmaceutical standards as other generic medications.
Differences In The Lab
Another major difference between generic and branded Viagra is how they’re tested in the lab. While all Viagra solutions are supposed to be tested for pharmacological activity, generic versions are tested for consistency in terms of viscosity and other physical parameters. This testing process ensures that the drug is being produced to the same stringent standards as the brand. It also means that generic versions of Viagra are as safe and effective as the brand name drug.
What Is Viscosity?
Viscosity is the technical term for the flowability of a substance. In pharmacology, it refers to the “thickness” of a solution. Increasing the viscosity of a drug substance increases its thickness and, therefore, its ability to be absorbed by the body. It also means that the drug will stay in the bloodstream for a longer period of time, increasing the likelihood of a therapeutic effect.
For instance, one of the major differences between the original Viagra and one of its generic counterparts is in its viscosity. The original, or branded, Viagra is highly viscous, having a specific viscosity that is consistently measured in multiples of three. It has a specific viscosity that must be maintained at all times, even when frozen. This is important because the drug starts losing its effectiveness at low temperatures. The original Viagra starts losing its effectiveness at about 10 degrees Fahrenheit and is practically useless at less than 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Its generic version, however, is less viscous, having the consistency of a thin fluid.
You’ll typically hear pharmaceutical companies talk about the viscosity of a drug in terms of centipoises (cP). The original version of Viagra is between 32 and 36 cP, while a low-viscosity version can range anywhere from 4 to 10 cP.
How Is Viscosity Measured?
To measure the viscosity of a drug solution, you’ll need a viscosity measuring device, commonly known as a rotational viscometer. In this type of device, the drug solution is dripped into a capillary tube that is suspended in a cone-shaped chamber filled with gas. As the liquid flows into the chamber, it forms a thin liquid layer on the surface of the gas. The surface tension of the liquid causes it to congeal into a thin layer as the pressure is increased. The thinner the layer, the higher the viscosity. The time it takes for the liquid to form a stable layer is then measured and reported in milli-seconds (mS).
Which Has The Greater Pharmacological Effect?
While all Viagra solutions are said to be equally effective in treating erectile dysfunction, most people choose the original, or branded, version of the drug for this purpose. This is mainly because it has a greater pharmacological effect. A 2014 systematic review published in the Journal of the American Medical Association compared the effectiveness of the original version of Viagra to that of its generics and concluded that there was no significant difference between the two.
But it’s not just about the efficacy of the drug. Viscosity changes the way the drug interacts with the body. Thin liquids have a short half-life in the body, while thick liquids have a longer half-life. This is significant because it means the body is exposed to a greater concentration of the drug for a longer period of time. In other words, the original version of Viagra has a longer ‘therapeutic window’ than its generic counterparts.
Why Is Viscosity Important?
The increased viscosity of a drug solution makes it more difficult for the body to eliminate it. If a drug is highly viscous, it will remain in the bloodstream for a longer period of time, increasing the chance that it could have toxic effects. In fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) puts an emphasis on the quality of a drug’s manufacturing process as it relates to its viscosity. They specifically mention this in the ‘quality standards for prescription drugs’ article of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 21 Part 508.5:
“The viscosity of a drug solution is a critical quality control parameter because it affects (1) the ease of oral administration, (2) the bioavailability of the drug, and (3) its toxicity. … Increased drug toxicity [is] expected if the viscosity of the drug product is not within the appropriate FDA tolerance range.”
The Bottom Line
So, what is the difference between the original Viagra and a generic version? Simply put, it’s all about the viscosity. While all versions of the drug are equally efficacious in treating erectile dysfunction, it’s the original that has the greater viscosity, making it the more desirable option.
The increased viscosity of a drug solution makes it more difficult for the body to eliminate it. This can have serious consequences. It’s always best to buy from a reputable source. This ensures that you’re getting the best possible product at all times and that they are able to provide the same high quality medicine that is sold on brand name.